Monongahela: Drain pipe project could take weeks to complete

By Eric Seiverling

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

City officials in Monongahela continue to move forward with the repair or replacement of a collapsed drain pipe behind the city’s fire station that caused flood damage to the building last week, although at Monday’s council work session, the city’s engineer said it could take weeks for the project to be completed.

A pump was brought in Monday to remove rocks and debris from a sinkhole that had been filled underneath railroad tracks along Railroad Street. The tracks are owned by Virginia-based Norfolk Southern Corp.

Councilman Rusty Polonoli said the city is looking at purchasing two 3-inch sump pumps, and said the pumps would help with flooding in other areas near the fire station.

Polonoli said a 3-inch pump costs under $1,000, and a 6-inch pump with hoses could cost upward of $10,000.

The city must receive a permit from Norfolk Southern Corp. to make repairs to the collapsed drainpipe, which is made of terra cotta and dates to back to 1918, according to engineer Doug Aiken of Mackin Engineering.

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